Q: | Can persons become insured even after they have left Canada (or other country of origin)? |
A: | Yes. Underwriting requirements may be more extensive after departure. |
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Q: | Why do I need Odyssey™ coverage, I am covered under an individual health plan here in Canada and commuting to work in the U.S. as an IT consultant every week? I
am not out of the country for more than 5 days at a time. |
A: | Best secure written approval from your Canadian insurer of continued
coverage. Most Canadian policies will not extend coverage to Canadian residents "working" regularly in the U.S. or elsewhere. The risk for such situations is much different than contemplated for individuals going on occasional business travel or vacation. |
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Q: | Does Odyssey™ offer "War Risk Protection"? |
A: | Yes, although new exclusions have recently been added by the insurers. Since 9/11 the insurance world has been turned upside down, with all insurers reviewing and changing policy provisions relating to war and
acts of terrorism. Effective November 1, 2002, all new policies issued contain a "Nuclear, Chemical, Biological Terrorism Exclusion". The policy also now contains a "Limited War Exclusion Clause" as follows: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Insurance does not cover loss consequent on: - war, whether declared or not, between any of the following countries, namely, China, France, the United Kingdom, the Russian Federation and the United States of America, or
- war in Europe, whether declared or not, other than: i) civil war, ii) any enforcement action by or on behalf of the United Nations,
in which any of the countries stated in (a) above or any armed forces thereof are engaged.
The Odyssey™ policy still provides "war risk" protection other than as excluded above. This means that innocent victims who are not "active participants" will still have protection under the coverage purchased. |
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Q: | What is the minimum time period that Odyssey™ will cover an individual going to work abroad? |
A: | On an individual application basis the minimum time period for which premiums are required to be paid is three months. For employer gorups of ten or more there is some flexibility, please contact us. |
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Q: | Why do I need Odyssey™, I am going to be out of the country for a year and my provincial plan will continue my coverage? |
A: | While your provincial plan will cover you, the benefits payable normally are far less than the cost of medical or hospital care out-of-Canada, particularly if you are working in the U.S. or anywhere there is an American hospital. |
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Q: | What should I do about my provincial healthcare coverage before I leave on
a foreign assignment? |
A: | It is advisable that you contact your provincial health authority and secure an extension of coverage to the extent possible while you are going to be absent from the country. It is important to keep it in place for your return to Canada so that you will not have a waiting period prior to coverage being available again. |
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Q: | Our company is bringing newly landed immigrants to work in Canada. How can Odyssey™ apply to them? |
A: | Odyssey™ can be purchased to provide what is termed "Impatriate" coverage until such individuals are eligible for the provincial plan. |
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These questions and answers have been compiled from inquiries we have received from both individual
applicants and employers wishing to provide coverage for eligible staff. We hope you find them useful in evaluating the Odyssey™ Expatriate Benefits Program. 
